People visiting Oakland County’s Highland Oaks Park are getting their first look at new universally accessible trails, boardwalks and docks designed to help seniors and individuals with disabilities enjoy nature.

The public debut took place June 6 at a Planners Gathering at the park –– at 6555 Milford Road, north of White Lake Road in Highland Township. The event was jointly organized by Oakland County’s Planning Division and the county Parks Department.

The new enhancements to Highland Oaks include three boardwalks, a floating dock and more than a mile of new trails.

“Our vision is that someday a hiker, bike rider or equestrian could make their way from Highland Oaks to Rose Oaks to Springfield Oaks in Davisburg and beyond. This is an important step to creating greater trail connectivity within Oakland County,” said Dan Stencil, Oakland County Parks and Recreation executive officer at the planners gathering.

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The opening of Highland Oaks, and earlier Rose Oaks to the north –– 10400 Fish Lake Road, Holly –– is significant, said parks officials, because these two parks were bisected by wetland complexes and now residents have more access to these protected areas without hurting the eco-systems.

Visitors to Highland Oaks County Park traverse a variety of upland and wetland habitats through a network of trails, boardwalks and viewing platforms throughout the 302-acre park. The park’s wetlands are part of the Buckhorn Lake Complex and are located in the Shiawassee River Headwaters. Michigan Nature Features Inventory has identified the property as having a high probability of the presence of rare animals, plants or Natural Communities.